Plum rain begins

Shanghai in June

The rainy season arrives mid-month. Before it, June is warm and fine; after it, you are working around the weather rather than with it.

Weather: 21–29°C / 70–84°F
Rain: 12 wet days — the wettest month
Crowds: Moderate
Price: Moderate, dipping before the summer peak

Shanghai has an actual rainy season — meiyu, the "plum rain" — which usually settles in during mid-June and runs for about three weeks. It is not tropical downpours; it is persistent grey rain for days at a time, with humidity above 80%.

That makes June a month of two halves. The first fortnight can be warm, dry and genuinely pleasant. Once the plum rain starts, plan indoor days and keep a walking route for the gaps. Dragon Boat Festival also falls in June most years, adding a three-day holiday.

What is good about it

Early June before the rain sets in
Dragon Boat races at the Suzhou Creek if the dates line up
Cheap hotels relative to July–August

Watch out for

Plum rain from roughly mid-June — plan indoor alternatives
Dragon Boat Festival holiday crowds
Humidity above 80% even when it is not raining

What to bring

A proper rain jacket rather than an umbrella
Quick-dry clothes and shoes that survive getting soaked
A backup indoor plan for every afternoon

The verdict

Only worth it if you are flexible. Early June is fine; late June is the start of three sticky months.

FAQ

Questions

Everything on this site is written and re-checked on the ground. When something changes, this page changes.

Will it rain the whole time?

During the meiyu period, days at a time with breaks. It does not rain continuously for three weeks, but expect several consecutive wet days.

Is June worth visiting at all?

Yes if you get a dry week, especially before the 15th. Watch the forecast and consider shifting your dates.

Does everything close when it rains?

No, the city functions normally. It just becomes a museum, restaurant and mall trip rather than a walking one.